Pill Dispenser and Pill Container System

ABSTRACT

A pill dispensing system, including a box with a plurality of compartments, a loader designed with loading channels sized and positioned to correspond with the compartments, an ergonomically-shaped handheld sorter, and a funneled feeder. 
     Each loading channel of the loader is lined by two loading channel walls, said loading channel having a floor between said loading channel walls, said floor having a midline equidistant from said loading channel walls, and said floor descending from each loading channel wall toward said midline of said floor. Whereby for each loading channel, the end distal to said sorting section has a notch.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of medication pillboxes. More specifically, the invention relates to a pill dispensing system that reduces the handling of pills.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are numerous types of medication pillboxes and dispensers. Among the various goals they attempt to achieve, these prior art medication dispensers aim to provide ease of use, more accurate organization, and better child safety features. However, the prior art medication dispensers do not adequately address the issue of proper handling of the medication.

When a patient receives his pills from the pharmacy, the pills are secured in the pill container and are relatively germ-free. The process through which a typical patient takes his daily pills is as follows: a) pills are dumped from the original container onto a table counter, b) the pills are hand-sorted, c) the patient picks up the pills and places them into the appropriate compartments of the pillbox, d) the compartments of the pillbox are closed and the pills stored until needed, e) the patient opens a compartment and dispenses the pills into their hand or onto a table counter, and f) the patient picks up the pills and ingests them. Virtually all of the above steps require direct handling of the pills or contact with unclean surfaces, thus leaving ample opportunity to taint the pills with germs.

Ideally, the pills should remain germ-free upon ingestion. Accordingly, what is needed is a pill dispensing system that that eliminates the direct handling of pills.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a pill dispensing system that eliminates the direct handling of pills. A second object of the invention is to provide a pill dispensing system that provides support for users lacking steady hand control. A third object of the invention is to provide a pill dispensing system that reduces the likelihood of mistakes by users.

In a preferred embodiment of the pill dispensing system, a box is designed such that it allows pills to be easily poured out upon tilting a side of the box. The box may contain any number of compartments, each compartment formed by four side walls, a floor, and a lid capable of covering an opening atop the compartment. The intersection of a first side wall and the floor is rounded to facilitate the tilting of the box. The intersection of the lid and the first side wall is secured by clip, magnet, or similar fastening apparatus. The intersection of the opposite side wall and the lid is hinged to permit easy opening and closing of the lid. Inside the compartment, there is an additional wall angled such that pills easily pour out upon tilting the box.

The number of compartments and the arrangement of those compartments may depend on the needs of the user. For example, for a patient with a medication regimen that requires him to take a pill twice daily, an appropriate box could have two rows of seven compartments, which the patient would refill once a week. One skilled in the art will recognize that the number of compartments and the arrangement of those compartments can be easily manipulated by connecting interchangeable compartments together in a manner suitable to the patient's needs. The individual compartments can be labeled with relevant information or marked for identification. For example, the lids of the compartments can be labeled with the time the medication should be taken, the type of medication in the compartment, or, if there is more than one patient, the name of the patient to take the medication.

A second instrument in the pill dispensing system is a loader designed with loading channels sized and positioned to correspond with the width and position of the box compartment openings. The loader has a sorting section connected to the loading channels at one side of the sorting section and connected to overflow channels at two other sides of the sorting section. The overflow channels allow the user to return surplus pills to the original pill container. Channel walls line each loading and overflow channel. Each loading and overflow channel has a floor with a midline equidistant from the channel walls. The floor descends from each channel wall toward the midline of the floor. This channel floor design guides the pills toward the middle of the channel. Slightly recessed grooves or concave halfpipes are examples of such designs. In addition, the loading and overflow channels have a V-shaped notch at the end distal to the sorting section. The grooved or concave floor, the V-shaped notch, and the channel walls of the loading channels guide the pills toward the corresponding openings of the compartments as the patient transfers the pills from the loader to the box.

The loader has rounded legs upon which the loader can be easily tilted to a position where the pills slide off the loader. The loading channels should be set at a height above the first side wall of the box so that when the loader is tilted, it allows the pills to be transferred from the loader channels to the box compartments without the patient having to lift the entire loader. The sorting section, the channels can be marked with relevant information, such as the amount and types of pills to be sorted into the loading channels.

A third instrument of the pill dispensing system is an ergonomically-shaped handheld sorter. The sorter is sized to fit snugly within the channels and allows the patient to sort the pills without directly handling the pills. One skilled in the art will recognize that any device can be used as a sorter so long as the person handling the pills is not in direct contact with the pills. For example, many kitchen utensils can be used as a sorter.

A fourth instrument of the pill dispensing system is a feeder, which, in the preferred embodiment, is a funneled pan. The pan has two raised protrusions that act as a funnel. One skilled in the art will recognize that other devices (e.g., certain kitchen utensils, funnels, etc.) can accomplish the same task. When the patient is ready to ingest the pills, he can open the lid of the appropriate box compartment and tilt the box to pour the pills onto the feeder. The patient can then pour the pills directly into his mouth or, alternatively, pour the pills into his hand.

As described above, the pill dispensing system allows a patient to sort, store, and dispense pills without ever directly handling the pills. For patients with unsteady or frail hands, the system also assists with pill dispensing by the following: 1) guiding the patient's sorting hand via the use of the sorter, which is designed to fit the channels; 2) eliminating the need to lift the entire box when transferring pills; 3) eliminating the need to lift the entire loader when transferring pills; and 4) guiding the pills directly to the patient's mouth via the feeder. This greatly reduces the occurrence of accidental spillage of pills onto unclean surfaces. The features of the pill dispensing system also forces the user to continuously see and count the number of pills throughout the pill dispensing process, thereby reducing the likelihood of mistakes by the user. The system, when correctly used by the patient, provides accurate and relatively germ-free dosages of medication.

The above and other novel features of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a loader in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the loader consisting of a sorting section, overflow channels on opposite sides of the sorting section, loading channels, and rounded legs.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a loader and a sorter in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a patient sorting pills into loading channels and sorting excess pills through an overflow channel and back into the original pill container.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a loader and a box in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing how pills can be transferred from the loader to the box by simply tilting the loader.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a box in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the box consisting of any number of compartments, each compartment formed by four side walls, a floor, and a lid.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a box and a feeder in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a patient dispensing pills from a compartment of the box to the feeder.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a feeder in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a patient transferring pills from the feeder to the patient's hand.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a loader in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the loader consisting of a sorting section, overflow channels on two sides of the sorting section, loading channels on another side of the sorting section, and rounded legs.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sorter in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a sorter in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a box in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the box consisting of any number of compartments, each compartment formed by four side walls, a floor, and a lid; an additional wall located inside each compartment is angled such that pills easily pour out upon tilting the box.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a box and a feeder in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing pills being transferred from the box to the feeder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is for a pill dispensing system that reduces the handling of pills. Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings, in which like elements are denoted with the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a loader in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a loader 10 consists of a sorting section 110, overflow channels 120 connected to two sides of the sorting section 110, loading channels 130 connected to another side of the sorting section 110, and rounded legs 140. Each loading channel 130 consists of a grooved or concave floor 131 that guides pills toward the middle of the loading channel 130. The end of the floor distal to the sorting section 110 has a V-shaped notch 132. Loading channel walls 133 line each loading channel 130.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a loader and a sorter in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a patient sorts pills in the sorting section 110, also know as the sorting platform, of a loader 10 using a sorter 20. The sorting platform 110 is substantially planar in the preferred embodiment. The pills are sorted into loading channels 130 and excess pills are sorted through a overflow channel 120 and back into the original pill container.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a loader and a box in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, pills can be transferred from a loader 10 to a box 30 by simply tilting the loader about rounded legs 140. The rounded legs 140 are designed such that it can be position the loading channels 130 slightly above the box 30. The rounded legs 140 are also positioned such that they guide the loader 10 to line up with the box 30. The pills are unloaded from the loading channels 130 and into the box compartments 310 when the loader 10 is tilted about the rounded legs 140.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a box in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a box 30 consists of several compartments 310. Each compartment 310 is formed by four side walls 330, a floor (not shown), and a lid 350.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a box and a feeder in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a patient can dispense pills from an individual compartment 310 of a box 30 to a feeder 40.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a feeder in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a patient can transfer pills from a feeder 40 to the patient's hand or directly to the patient's mouth. The feeder 40 has raised protrusions 410 that guide the pills.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a loader in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a loader 10 has rounded legs 140 that facilitate tilting of the loader 10 to permit pills in the loading channels 130 to be dispensed into the multiple pill compartments in accordance with the desired dosages of medications. But clearly it is not a requirement of the invention that the legs be rounded for the invention to work for its intended purpose.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a pill sorter in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a sorter 20 is ergonomically-shaped to provide greater ease of use.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a sorter in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a sorter 20 is ergonomically-shaped to provide greater ease of use.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a box in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a box 30 consists of compartments 310, each compartment formed by four side walls 320, a floor 340, a lid 350, and an additional wall 360 inside the compartment 310 angled such that pills easily pour out upon tilting the box 30. The lid 350 is joined to the side walls 320 by a hinge 351 at one side and by a fastening apparatus 352 at the other side.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a box and a feeder in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, pills can be transferred from a box 30 to a feeder 40 by simply tilting the box 30 about a rounded portion 341 of a bottom wall 340.

The invention has been described with reference to several different preferred and alternative embodiments and it is understood that any modifications thereto or alternate combinations thereof which would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be encompassed. Therefore, the aforementioned descriptions are in no way intended to limit the breadth or scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter. 

1. A pill loader for use with a pill dispensing box having multiple pill compartments for desired dosages of medications, the improvement comprising: said pill loader including a substantially planar sorting platform upon which pills may be placed for sorting; a plurality of loading channels on a side of said sorting platform; each loading channel lined by two loading channel walls; each loading channel having a floor between said loading channel walls, said loading channels having a width such that each channel aligns with a pill compartment of said pill dispensing box such that said pill loader is capable of being tipped to permit each said compartment to be loaded with a desired dosage of medication; and, an overflow channel located at an end of said sorting platform for returning excess pills to their containers.
 2. The pill loader of claim 1, whereby for each loading channel, the end distal to said sorting section has a notch.
 3. The pill loader of claim 1, whereby said floor has a midline equidistant from said loading channel walls; and said floor descending from each loading channel wall toward said midline of said floor.
 4. The pill loader of claim 2, whereby for each loading channel, the end distal to said sorting section has a notch.
 5. A pill dispensing system comprising: a box with a plurality of compartments, each compartment having an opening; a loader including: a sorting section; an overflow channel connected to one side of the sorting section; a plurality of loading channels connected to another side of the sorting section; each loading channel is lined by two loading channel walls; said loading channel having a floor between said loading channel walls; whereby, said loading channels are sized and positioned to correspond to said openings of said compartments.
 6. The pill dispensing system of claim 5, whereby said floor of each loading channel is recessed.
 7. The pill dispensing system of claim 6, whereby said floor has a midline equidistant from said loading channel walls; said floor descends from each loading channel wall toward said midline of said floor.
 8. The pill dispensing system of claim 5, whereby for each loading channel, the end distal to said sorting section has a notch.
 9. The pill dispensing system of claim 5, whereby each compartment includes an additional floor, one end of said additional floor connected to an edge of the compartment opening.
 10. The pill dispensing system of claim 5, whereby said loader further includes a rounded leg.
 11. The pill dispensing system of claim 5, whereby said loader further includes a leg capable of lining up said loader with said box.
 12. The pill dispensing system of claim 5, whereby the width of a loading channel matches the width of a corresponding opening.
 13. The pill dispensing system of claim 5, whereby each loading channel is capable of lining up with a corresponding opening.
 14. The pill dispensing system of claim 5, further comprising a sorter.
 15. The pill dispensing system of claim 5, further comprising a feeder.
 16. The pill dispensing system of claim 15, further comprising a sorter.
 17. The pill dispensing system of claim 16; whereby, each loading channel is capable of lining up with a corresponding opening.
 18. The pill dispensing system of claim 17, whereby each loading channel is lined by two loading channel walls; said loading channel having a floor between said loading channel walls; said floor having a midline equidistant from said loading channel walls; and said floor descending from each loading channel wall toward said midline of said floor.
 19. The pill dispensing system of claim 18, whereby for each loading channel, the end distal to said sorting section has a notch.
 20. A method of dispensing pills comprising the steps of: a) handling pills using a sorter; b) sorting pills with the sorter into channels of a loader; c) aligning the loader to a box; d) tilting the loader until the pills slide into compartments of the box; e) securing the pills in the compartments until an appropriate time to dispense the pills; f) opening the appropriate compartment or compartments containing the pills to be dispensed; g) tilting the box until the pills slide onto the feeder; and h) transferring the pills from the feeder to a person taking the pills. 